McClatchy High students try to target reasons for lack of diversity in elite academic program

Meet Sac State's $9 million science complex donor, Ernest Tschannen

'Why am I the only brown face in this program?' asks McClatchy High HISP alum

Mason Anderson has asked Sacramento area firefighters to shave their heads in support of his family. His father, former Sacramento County Airport fire Capt. Timothy Anderson, died of occupational cancer in April this year. His mom, Lacey, has stage 2 breast cancer. Firefighters have stepped up to the plate, as shown in this video posted Thursday. Sacramento Fire Department's Facebook page

Mason Anderson has asked Sacramento area firefighters to shave their heads in support of his family. His father, former Sacramento County Airport fire Capt. Timothy Anderson, died of occupational cancer in April this year. His mom, Lacey, has stage 2 breast cancer. Firefighters have stepped up to the plate, as shown in this video posted Thursday. Sacramento Fire Department's Facebook page

Sacramento area firefighters ‘Brave the Shave’ in support of mom with cancer

After his firefighter dad died from cancer and his mom was recently diagnosed, one boy is asking Sacramento-area firefighters to show solidarity.

Mason Anderson, 10, is organizing a “head-shaving drive” for firefighters in support of his mom, Lacey Anderson of Orangevale, who has stage 2 breast cancer, according to a Sacramento Fire Department Facebook video post. “We have your backs Anderson family!” the department says.

Mason’s dad, Timothy Anderson, who was a Sacramento County airport fire captain, died on April 4 of this year from occupational cancer. He was an Air Force veteran and a “dedicated community volunteer,” the department says.

Mason also has two younger brothers, Bryce, 7, and Gavin, 5, his mom told The Sacramento Bee.

Never miss a local story.

Sign up today for a free 30 day free trial of unlimited digital access.

“Mason is asking his dad’s fire family to join him in shaving his head on December 2nd,” the Facebook group Brave the Shave with Mason Anderson says. “Mason wants to turn a difficult situation into something empowering and positive. Everyone is invited to Brave the Shave.”